Matisyahu is a musician who blends hip hop with reggae and rock and is currently touring the country as a successful artist with three c.d.s out. He is also a practicing Hasidic Jew who intertwines his faith with his music. His most famous song, Jerusalem, approaches the ideas and history behind the state all to a popular and traditional reggae tune that Jews and Gentiles alike have taken to.
Rebuild the temple and the crown of glory
Years gone by, about sixty
Burn in the oven in this century
And the gas tried to choke, but it couldn't choke me
I will not lie down, I will not fall asleep
They come overseas, yes they're trying to be free
Erase the demons out of our memory
Change your name and your identity
Afraid of the truth and our dark history
Cut off the roots of your family tree
Don't you know that's not the way to be
Matisyahu is a great example of a Jew with a gift he uses to bring to light the issues of his Jewish community and demystifies his faith for outsiders. “Jerusalem” simultaneously tells the history of Jewish immigrants who started a new life in Israel and begins to explain the need for a Jewish state despite controversy amongst Palestinians. He creates a socially acceptable and lucrative outlet for his creativity and is still able to serve his community. Matisyahu manages to make it all work but he is more the exception to the rule as there are very few well-known Hasidic Jewish artists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5FvaASrs0 ( I have to warn you this is a newer, not as good version of this song; look up the original "Youth" cd version.
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